A.G. Huntsman Award for Excellence in Marine SciencePast Recipient, Dr. David M. Karl (2001) |
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| Last Modified: 2009-09-18
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Dr. Karl, the twenty-fourth
recipient of the A. G. Huntsman Award, is
a biological oceanographer who brings a
deep understanding of biochemistry,
microbiology and genomics to the study of
ocean ecosystems and global processes. He
has played a leading role in the
development of innovative methods for
marine microbiology and nutrient
chemistry. He has examined in detail the
microbially-mediated transformations and
physical supply mechanisms of major plant
nutrients in the ocean. His work has
revealed the existence and importance of
new classes of organisms in the sea,
notably the marine archaea found in the
mesopelagic region. He was the leader of
a groundbreaking study of Antarctic
marine ecosystem processes, and currently
leads the Pacific Joint Global Ocean Flux
Study (JGOFS) program which is yielding
significant new insights into
understanding the global carbon cycle and
global warming. He has spearheaded
efforts to describe how variability in
climate associated with El Niņo and
other large-scale phenomena has led to
fundamental changes in the ecosystem of
the central Pacific Ocean. He has also
studied microbial processes in a number
of extreme environments including the
Black Sea, Lake Vostok (Antarctica) and
deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Dr. Karl has
led a large number of productive research
teams comprised of collaborators, staff
and especially students, and has played
an important role in training the next
generation of scientists. He has also
been extremely generous with his time in
support of the broader international
oceanographic community through providing
advice, acting as a reviewer, and serving
on key committees. His research output
has been outstanding, and he has forever
changed our perspective on life in the
sea. 